US3924717A - Fluid actuated clutch - Google Patents

Fluid actuated clutch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3924717A
US3924717A US382290A US38229073A US3924717A US 3924717 A US3924717 A US 3924717A US 382290 A US382290 A US 382290A US 38229073 A US38229073 A US 38229073A US 3924717 A US3924717 A US 3924717A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
clutch
chamber
friction disc
fluid
hub
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US382290A
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English (en)
Inventor
Takashi Ookubo
Hideo Hamada
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nissan Motor Co Ltd filed Critical Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Publication of USB382290I5 publication Critical patent/USB382290I5/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3924717A publication Critical patent/US3924717A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D25/00—Fluid-actuated clutches
    • F16D25/06—Fluid-actuated clutches in which the fluid actuates a piston incorporated in, i.e. rotating with the clutch
    • F16D25/062—Fluid-actuated clutches in which the fluid actuates a piston incorporated in, i.e. rotating with the clutch the clutch having friction surfaces
    • F16D25/063—Fluid-actuated clutches in which the fluid actuates a piston incorporated in, i.e. rotating with the clutch the clutch having friction surfaces with clutch members exclusively moving axially
    • F16D25/0635—Fluid-actuated clutches in which the fluid actuates a piston incorporated in, i.e. rotating with the clutch the clutch having friction surfaces with clutch members exclusively moving axially with flat friction surfaces, e.g. discs

Definitions

  • a fluid actuated clutch comprises a fluid pressure responsive plate defining with a rotatable clutch drum first and second chambers which are adapted to receive fluid under pressure selectively, and a hub and driven disc assembly in the second chamber, so that first and second sub-chambers are formed on axially opposite sides of the hub and disc assembly.
  • the fluid pressure responsive plate has formed therethrough at least one passageway for permitting fluid communication between the first and second sub-chamber and one-way valve is provided in the hub to permit fluid flow from the second to first sub chambers.
  • the driven disc is prevented from engaging with drive discs by fluid flow therebetween from the first to second sub-chambers when the clutch is in neutral condition.
  • the present invention relates to a clutch, and more particularly to an improved fluid actuated clutch of a type particularly suitable for use in an automatic transmission of a vehicle.
  • the driven friction disc is biased to a neutral position to disengage from a drive friction disc which is fixed to a clutch drum splined to a power input shaft such as a turbine shaft of a torque converter.
  • the spring biasing the driven driction disc is compressed by means of a fluid actuated pressure plate.
  • the resiliency of the spring gradually deferiorates to an unacceptable level mostly due to fatigue of the spring.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid actuated clutch assembly which is simple in construction, which is excellent in durability and which is reliable in operation.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a typical conventional clutch assembly utilizing a spring loaded driven friction disc
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a clutch assembly embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view of important parts of the clutch assembly of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the clutch assembly of FIG. 2 illustrating its disengaged position
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longidudinal sectional view of the clutch assembly of FIG. 2 illustrating its engaged position.
  • a power input shaft 10 or an engine driven hydrodynamic torque transmitting mechanism such as a fluid coupling or torque converter drives a clutch drum indicated generally as 12.
  • the drum 12 includes a hub 14 supported upon and driven by the shaft 10, a generally disc shaped flange portion 16, an axially extending drum portion 18, a cover portion 20 and a drive friction disc 22 attached to the inner wall of the cover portion 20.
  • a driven friction disc 24 disposed within the drum 12 and splined to a driven clutch hub 26 is arranged between a stepped pressure plate 28 and the cover por tion 20.
  • the driven clutch hub 26 maay drive a gearbox input shaft 30.
  • the pressure plate 28 disposed within the drum 12 is shaped to define with the drum 12 and input shaft 10 a first chamber 32 to receive fluid under pressure to engage the clutch assembly, and to define with the drum 12 and gearbox input shaft 30 a second chamber 34 to receive fluid under pressure to disengage the clutch assembly.
  • the periphery of the pressure plate 28 carries a seal 36 to prevent fluid communication between the chambers 32 and 34 the rethrough.
  • a radially inner portion 40 of the pressure plate 28 carries a seal 42 to prevent fluid communication between the chambers 32 and 34 therethrough, and is recessed as shown to provide an enlarged configuration of the chamber 34.
  • a clutch release spring 44 sealed on a spring seat 46 biases the disc 24 to disengage from the disc 22, and the leftward limit of travel of the disc 24 is determined by a stopper 48.
  • the power input shaft 10 and gearbox input shaft 30 are drilled radially to provide fluid passageways 50 and 52 communicating with the first and second chambers 32 and 34 respectively.
  • the passageways 50 and 52 may be selectively connected to a source of fluid under pressure or a non-pressu rized fluid reservoir by suitable valve means, although not shown.
  • the driven clutch hub 26 is drilled to provide a fluid passageway 54 which allows communication between the passageway 52 and the chamber 34.
  • Bearings 56 and 58 provide co-axial rotation between the driving assembly comprising the shaft 10, drum 12 and pressure plate 28, and the driven assembly comprising the disc 24, hub 26 and shaft 30.
  • fluid under pressure is supplied through the passageway 50 into the chamber 32 which urges the pressure plate 28 against the force of the spring 44 to provide tight contact between the pressure plate 28 and discs 22 and 24.
  • the chamber 34 is connected to the reservoir through the passageways 54 and 52. If the fluid supply connections are reversed, fluid under pressure in the chamber 34 urges the pressure plate 28 away from the disc 24, and the spring 44 urges the disc 24 away from the disc 22 to disengage the clutch assembly.
  • FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 there is shown a clutch assembly embodying the present invention. It will be seen that this embodiment of the present invention is similiar to the clutch assembly of FIG. 1. Thus, the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 1 will be utilized to indicate corresponding parts in FIGS. 2 to 5.
  • a driven clutch hub 62 is splined to the gearbox input shaft 30 and to the friction disc 24.
  • the driven clutch hub 62 includes a stopper 64 against which the driven friction disc 24 abuts when the driven friction disc 24 is in its illustrated or disengaged position, and a segmented collar indicated generally as 66 provided on one axial surface thereof.
  • the driven clutch hub 62 is drilled axially to provide three fluid passageways or holes 68 as best seen in FIG. 3.
  • a one-way valve indicated generally as 70.
  • the one-way valve 70 is a sheet of suitable material having the general shape of triskelion as best seen in Hg. 3.
  • the valve 70 fits over the collar 66 and is bolted to the clutch hub 62 with respective legs 72 operatively engaging with the holes 68.
  • the legs 72 of the valve 70 may be bent slightly axially in order to block off the holes 68 when attached to the clutch hub 62 by bolts.
  • the bearing 58 abuts on segmented disc portions 74 and segmented ring portions 76 axially extending from the periphery of the respective segmented disc portions 74.
  • the clutch assembly is shown as disengaged.
  • Fluid under pressure is supplied through the passageways 52 and 78 into a first sub-chamber 33 of the chamber 34 defined by the cover portion 20, hub 62 and shaft 30.
  • the chamber 32 is connected to the reservoir through the passageway 50.
  • Fluid pressure in the first sub-chamber 33 acts to displace the disc 24 away from the disc 22.
  • FIG. 5 which shows the clutch assembly as engaged
  • the fluid supply connections are reversed, and fluid under pressure is supplied into the chamber 32 through the passageway 50 to urge the pressure plate 28 toward the disc 24.
  • the first subchamber 33 is connected to the reservoir through the passageways 78 and 52. Fluid from the chamber 32 flows into the second sub-chamber 35 through the passageways 60.
  • the valve is opened due to the pressure difference between the second and first sub-chambers 35 and 33 respectively,, and fluid flow is established through the holes 68.
  • the holes 68 are made large enough such that if the valve 70 is opened, fluid flow is effectively prevented around the periphery of the disc 24.
  • Broken arrows in FIGS. 4 and 5 show the pressures acting to disengage and engage the clutch assembly respectively, and solid arrows indicate the direction of fluid flow through the relevent passageways.
  • hydrodynamic pressure replaces a mechanical biasing means such as the clutch release spring 44 for biasing the driven friction disc toward a disengaged position. It is also seen that deterioration of fluid adjacent to the drive and driven friction discs will be considerably reduced due to the fact that the fluid (lubricanting oil) constantly circulates therebetween. Thus it will be appreciated that the drive and driven friction discs are free from wear caused by deterioration of lubricanting oil.
  • a .clutch assembly of the present invention is smiple in construction and thus the probability of failure is considerably reduced.
  • a clutch according to the present invention is excellent in durability and also the reliability.
  • a clutch assembly comprising:
  • a fluid pressure responsive pressure plate defining with said clutch drum first and second chambers which are adapted to receive fluid under pressure selectively;
  • a driven friction disc splined to said clutch hub, said driven friction disc being movable toward said drive friction disc to engage with said drive friction disc in response to pressure in said first chamber, and away from said drive friction disc to disengage from said drive friction disc in response to pressure in said second chamber, said clutch hub and said driven friction disc dividing said second chamber into a first sub-chamber adjacent to said drive friction disc and a second sub-chamber adjacent to said pressure plate, said first and second sub-chambers being on axially opposite sides of the hub and disc assembly;
  • said pressure plate having formed therethrough at least one passageway for permitting fluid communication between said first chamber and said second subchamber;
  • said clutch hub having formed therethrough at least one hole for permitting fluid communication between said first and second sub-chambers;
  • valve for permitting fluid to flow from said second to said first sub-chamber through said at least one hole, but preventing fluid from flowing from said first to said second sub-chamber through said at least one hole.
  • valve is a sheet having the shape of triskelion attached to said clutch hub with its legs blocking off said holes.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Hydraulic Clutches, Magnetic Clutches, Fluid Clutches, And Fluid Joints (AREA)
  • Mechanical Operated Clutches (AREA)
US382290A 1972-07-26 1973-07-25 Fluid actuated clutch Expired - Lifetime US3924717A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP47074781A JPS5132785B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-07-26 1972-07-26

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
USB382290I5 USB382290I5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-01-28
US3924717A true US3924717A (en) 1975-12-09

Family

ID=13557163

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US382290A Expired - Lifetime US3924717A (en) 1972-07-26 1973-07-25 Fluid actuated clutch

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US3924717A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5132785B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1392264A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4211313A (en) * 1977-12-22 1980-07-08 Allis-Chalmers Corporation Transmission brake with lubricating and cooling means
US4372434A (en) * 1981-01-28 1983-02-08 Twin Disc, Incorporated Interleaved friction plate clutch having means to prevent plate wobble
WO1997012159A1 (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-04-03 Ojala, Mikko A clutch transmitting rotating motion
US5810142A (en) * 1995-10-27 1998-09-22 Deere & Company Flow control valve for rotating component
US5871073A (en) * 1995-11-10 1999-02-16 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Wet type frictional engagement device
US20050274643A1 (en) * 2004-06-11 2005-12-15 William Arnold Child resistant product dispenser

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4425993A (en) * 1981-02-20 1984-01-17 Horton Industries, Inc. Fluid engaged spring released fan clutch having a modular mount for a spring engaged fluid released fan clutch
US4485903A (en) * 1982-05-24 1984-12-04 General Motors Corporation Centrifugal actuated friction clutch with a hydraulic apply piston
DE10257866A1 (de) 2002-12-11 2004-07-08 Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH Druckgesteuerte Reibungskupplung

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2178017A (en) * 1938-04-09 1939-10-31 Bristol Aeroplane Co Ltd Friction clutch
US3213988A (en) * 1961-12-12 1965-10-26 Ferodo Sa Hydraulic clutch with cushion means
US3437183A (en) * 1966-06-03 1969-04-08 Ferodo Sa Clutch and coupling with cooling device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2178017A (en) * 1938-04-09 1939-10-31 Bristol Aeroplane Co Ltd Friction clutch
US3213988A (en) * 1961-12-12 1965-10-26 Ferodo Sa Hydraulic clutch with cushion means
US3437183A (en) * 1966-06-03 1969-04-08 Ferodo Sa Clutch and coupling with cooling device

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4211313A (en) * 1977-12-22 1980-07-08 Allis-Chalmers Corporation Transmission brake with lubricating and cooling means
US4372434A (en) * 1981-01-28 1983-02-08 Twin Disc, Incorporated Interleaved friction plate clutch having means to prevent plate wobble
WO1997012159A1 (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-04-03 Ojala, Mikko A clutch transmitting rotating motion
US6000518A (en) * 1995-09-27 1999-12-14 Koskinen; Kauko Clutch transmitting rotating motion
US5810142A (en) * 1995-10-27 1998-09-22 Deere & Company Flow control valve for rotating component
US5871073A (en) * 1995-11-10 1999-02-16 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Wet type frictional engagement device
US20050274643A1 (en) * 2004-06-11 2005-12-15 William Arnold Child resistant product dispenser

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4932036A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-03-23
USB382290I5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-01-28
JPS5132785B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-09-14
GB1392264A (en) 1975-04-30

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